the bombing, fueling all kinds of rumors. when i last interviewed him in 2005, i asked him about the u.s. overtly seeking a new syrian leader, even then. >> i feel very confident for one reason. because i was made in syria. i wasn't made in the united states. i'm not worried. >> reporter: but he must be worried now. i spoke with a senior israeli official here in jerusalem about what might happen to assad himself. >> unfortunately, we are going to witness quite a long process of bloodshed. otherwise, he might be assassinated and it could -- it can happen within a day. >> and christiane amanpour joins us now. christiane, how does it look to you? is this a signal the end is near? >> reporter: well, look, i think everybody is hoping that will be the case. and honestly, you cannot have the decapitation of the regime's entire defense, intelligence and security apparatus without it having a severe impact on the regime. on the other hand, some people say he might double down and really fight to the very end. >> but what impact does this have on iran? does this mean iran is also weakened, isolate